About Us
The caring and experienced professionals at McElyea and Owens Funeral Group are here to support you through this difficult time. We offer a range of personalized services to suit your family’s wishes and requirements. You can count on us to help you plan a personal, lasting tribute to your loved one. And we’ll carefully guide you through the many decisions that must be made during this challenging time.
You are welcome to call us at any time of the day, any day of the week, for immediate assistance. Or, visit our funeral home in person at your convenience. We also provide a wealth of information here on our web site so you can learn more from the privacy of your own home.
In this section
Robert Owens
Co-Owner-Funeral Director and Memorial Care Specialist
Robert Owens was born in Shawnee, graduated from Shawnee High School in 1973, and has been a part of Shawnee area funeral service for many years. Robert first started in funeral service in 1998 when he joined his father, Bob Owens, at Gaskill Funeral Chapel where Bob faithfully served for over 54 years.
He began in the
funeral business by selling pre-arranged funerals at both Gaskill-Owens Funeral
Chapel and Resthaven Funeral Home of Shawnee. Robert attended college at The
University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond and received a BS degree in funeral
service. Later, Robert worked as Market
Sales Manager for the Alderwoods Group, serving as a marketing manager for over
60 funeral homes and 13 cemeteries over a 3 state area. He later returned to Shawnee in the capacity
as General Manager of Gaskill-Owens Funeral Chapel and Resthaven Funeral Home
and Memorial Park of Shawnee.
Shortly after 2003,
Robert moved to Okmulgee, Oklahoma where he was employed by Shurden Funeral
Homes in Henryetta and Okmulgee. Robert
worked as a location manager for Shurden’s until 2008. In 2009, he partnered with two other funeral
directors in Henryetta and built and managed a brand new funeral home,
Integrity Funeral Service of Henryetta. It
continues to operate successfully today.
In 2020, Robert
partnered with long-time friend and funeral director Mike McElyea to open
McElyea & Owens Funeral Group and is glad to be back living in Shawnee
again.
Robert is married to Detria Owens. He has two sons, Jud Owens and Jared Owens, who live with their wives in Edmond, Oklahoma and Georgetown, Texas. He also has a step-daughter, Shanna Anderson of Morris. Robert has 3 grandsons and 1 grandaughter.
Telephone: 1-405-695-5006
Mike McElyea
Co-Owner-Funeral Director and Memorial Care Specialist
Mike McElyea grew up in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and at the age of
18 began in the funeral industry in 1990 with Parks Brothers Funeral Homes in
Lincoln County, working alongside his grandmother and uncle. In July 1992 he
married Jana Tetirick and they moved to Dallas, Texas, where he began the
Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, graduating in 1993. Following his education,
he returned to Parks Brothers Funeral Home in Prague serving as a funeral
Director. In 1995 he began working for Bob Owens at the Gaskill-Owens Funeral Chapel and Resthaven Funeral Home and
Memorial Park in Shawnee, Oklahoma, serving as a funeral director and later as
General Manager. In 2004 he began working for Roberts Funeral Home in
Blackwell, Oklahoma. In 2015 He began with Primrose Funeral Service as the
location manager. In 2017 Mike began with Tribute Memorial Care in Norman and
returning to their sister locations at Parks Brothers. In 2021 He returned to
his hometown of Shawnee and with friend and business partner Robert Owens they began McElyea and
Owens Funeral Group. Mike is a member of the Kiwanis Club in Shawnee and attends
Liberty Baptist Church in Shawnee and Immanuel Baptist Church in Norman where
he is involved in the sound ministry.
Mike is married to Jana, and they have two children, Brandon, and
Caitlyn.
Telephone: 1-405-695-5006
Gary Rodgers
Funeral Director and Memorial Care Specialist
James Walter
Ambassador
Rev. James Walter has been preaching in some capacity most of his life. In March of 1986, he started pastoring the First Assembly of God church in Shawnee, OK, until June 2001. Began working in 2001 for Bob Owens at Gaskill-Owens Funeral Chapel and Resthaven Funeral Home and Memorial Park in Shawnee, OK. In March of 2022, returned as an Ambassador for McElyea & Owens Funeral Group.
Avry Wood
Apprentice Funeral Director
Brandon McElyea
Large Animal Rendering Service
Brandon McElyea was born in Shawnee and spent his grade school years in Shawnee. He is a graduate of Blackwell High School. Brandon moved back to Shawnee in 2023, to work for McElyea and Owens in the Bio Aqauamation Rendering Company division.
Carey Smith
Office Manager
Carey Smith is a graduate from McLoud high school in 1985. She is married Dwayne, in 1986 and they live in Harrah, Oklahoma. They have one son, Zachary, and 3
grandchildren, Carter, Sophia, and Jay . She enjoys watching her grandchildren in
all their activities. She loves to go camping with her family and friends. She is a
Christian, that loves the Lord, and helping people any way She can. Carey joined they McElyea and Owens Team in 2023.
